Nakashima Strengthens Milan Hopes

#NextGenATP American Brandon Nakashima tasted success on the hard courts at the US Open last week, overcoming Pavel Kotov and Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets before Jannik Sinner ended his run at the third-round stage in New York.

The 21-year-old’s aggressive performances have strengthened his chances of qualifying for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals for a second consecutive year, with the American consolidating his position in seventh in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan.

Nakashima, who reached the semi-finals at the 21-and-under event last season, will look to climb further when he competes on home soil in San Diego next week.

View Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan Rankings

Briton Jack Draper has further strengthened his position in fifth after soaring to the third round on debut in New York. The 20-year-old, who has won four ATP Challenger Tour titles this season, overpowered Felix Auger-Aliassime under the lights at the US Open to earn his second Top 10 win. The lefty clinched his maiden Top 10 win against Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to the quarter-finals in Montreal last month.

Italian Francesco Passaro’s standout season on the ATP Challenger Tour went from strength to strength at the start of September when he advanced to the final in Como, Italy. The 21-year-old, who holds a 28-11 record on the Challenger Tour this season, is aiming to make his debut on home soil at the indoor event in Milan, taking place from 8-12 November.